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As the hunting season kicks off and the autumn nights grow longer, officials are issuing warnings about a potential surge in elk-related traffic accidents.
On Friday, Finland welcomed the start of elk hunting season.
This year, the Finnish Wildlife Agency issued a total of 31,000 hunting permits, reflecting a notable decrease of 15 percent from the previous year.
According to the Natural Resources Institute (Luke), Finland’s elk population is estimated to be around 77,000—its lowest level in over two decades.
While traditional hunting practices will continue in Lapland and northeastern Finland, other regions will adopt a more cautious approach, limited to “watching” methods.
“Active hunting, where hunters chase the animals, is strictly prohibited. Even the use of dogs for tracking injured elk is disallowed,” noted Antti Siira, the permit manager at the Finnish Wildlife Agency.
Caution Urged for Drivers
With the onset of hunting season and the earlier sunsets of fall, officials are alerting drivers to an increased risk of elk-related accidents.
Last year alone, Statistics Finland recorded approximately 1,500 collisions involving elk.
Ari-Pekka Elovaara, a training instructor with the Finnish Road Safety Authority, emphasized that elk are particularly active during dusk and nighttime. “The conjunction of hunting season and the mating period prompts increased movement among these animals. Moreover, autumn marks their migration to winter pastures, leading to even higher activity levels,” Elovaara explained.
In case of a collision, Elovaara advises motorists to immediately contact emergency services by calling 112 and to avoid approaching any injured animal.
If circumstances allow, drivers should also try to mark the accident scene to alert oncoming traffic.
Elk hunting plays an important role in mitigating the risks of these accidents. Elovaara acknowledged, “Indeed, careful management of the elk population is crucial to preventing collisions and minimizing agricultural damage.”
For more comprehensive details on Finland’s hunting seasons, additional information can be found here.